MEETING CARMINE INFANTINO

 

I was excited to see Carmine Infantino would be at the con again this year, and made a point to go find him in artists alley.  He was selling copies of his “Art of Carmine Infantino” book, with sketches in them.  He had maybe half a dozen books opened up with different characters sketched in each one, and I really liked the Flash sketch he did.  I saw this book had two Flash sketches in it, and realized that one of the pages was folded in half, and the extra sketch must be in exchange for the folded page.  I told him I’d really like one, but thought I was a few dollars short.  He said he would part for it for the money I had, if I took a book that he had already signed to someone.  He said he’d cross it out and re-sign it to me.  Fair enough, I thought, and told him my name.  It turned out, the name he had already signed in the book was “Chris.”  If that isn’t fate saying I should own the book, I don’t know what is! 

I handed him the money, but when he counted it, he said I was actually short ten or more dollars, and (I love this) told me I have to “cough up more dough.”  I ended up going back to my booth to get some cash, and paying the full amount for this book.  If that isn’t a sign of fate saying “screw you,” I don’t know what is!

I showed him my monster comic, and asked him about doing a pin-up.  Last time I had met him, I had the feeling he wanted me to beat it and never bother him again, but this year, he gave me the contact info of his manager.  What a change a professional product makes.  Yet again, a sample of an artist who is uninterested in my project, who becomes interested later, presumably (I like to think) because of the professionalism or quality.

I would love to get a pin-up from Carmine.  I think he’s quite legendary.

 

BRIAN BOLLAND

Brian Bolland was an immense treat to find appearing at the convention this year.  I pestered Brian periodically throughout the con.  He did remember me from the Bristol Con over a year earlier.  He told me he hadn’t been to San Diego for twenty-four years.  At one point, Brian let me sit behind the table with him and show him my Doris Danger treasury, and he flipped through it.  I was impressed that he kept saying he’d still like to do a monster pin-up, when he can find some time.  He was sweet and sincere.  I told him, as I’d mentioned in an email before, that his absolutely fantastic Judge Dredd’s were just getting reprinted in color in America during my formative years, and how important his work was to me growing up.  I reminded him he’d done a great giant monster cover on his Animal Man run.

I met his son, who was one of the most adorable kids I’ve ever seen.  It made it all the cuter to hear his accent.  I tried asking him if he read comics, and what artists he liked, but he was pretty shy about answers.  I asked if he liked his dad’s art, and he said he did.

I witnessed Brian having to put up with two moronic fans.  The first was when I was leaning down on the table so that I could hear Brian speaking with me, and so Brian could hear me in the crazy atmosphere of the con.  The moron was sitting there watching, and he lost his temper and shouted at me, “Could you please not lean on the table!”  At first I assumed this watcher-of-the-table was Brian’s manager or right-hand-man, and in charge of making sure Brian’s deft artistic hand didn’t get jarred while doing sketches, because he was sitting behind the table.  But then Brian told me it didn’t bother him if I leaned against the table, and he was fine.  Then the guy said he’s paying a lot of money for this pin-up, and wants to make sure it’s perfect.

Morons out there who pay a lot of money for sketches beware!  We are professionals!  This is what we do for a living!  Thanks for your concern and care, but we don’t need your help or direction to insure the quality of our artwork, which you purchased and will be ebaying the next day!

The second moron was the next day, and he brought stacks and stacks of junk for Brian to sign, and Brian just patiently, politely went through and signed each piece, one at a time.  This went on and on.  And judging by the quantities this gentleman brought with him, it was obvious these weren’t for his personal collection.  Meanwhile, I was waiting to get a couple quick signatures on a couple of my favorite, most personal Brian Bolland books, because they mean a lot to me, and Brian’s work has meant so much to me.

It was great to see him again, and I hope I didn’t bother him too much, trying to snap so many pictures of him, but I was having a really good time getting photos of all my idols this trip.  Brian Bolland would truly be one of the greats to get a pin-up from, in my opinion.